A quiet Saturday afternoon in a busy southern Idaho commercial district turned into absolute chaos when an active shooter opened fire near an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls. Three people lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries during the sudden violence. Police later confirmed that the suspected gunman was also found dead at the scene.
If you are looking for details on what happened, local authorities, city spokespersons, and eyewitness accounts have pieced together a timeline of the tragedy.
The Incident Unfolds in Twin Falls
The shooting broke out shortly before 2:30 p.m. local time on Blue Lakes Boulevard North, a high-traffic commercial hub filled with restaurants, hotels, and national retailers. The location, which included a newly opened In-N-Out Burger that had just launched its operations on July 24, was packed with weekend shoppers and diners.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed during a press briefing that the active threat to the community had ended, but called the initial environment extremely chaotic. City public information officer Josh Palmer stated that multiple victims were rushed to St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center for treatment, with some individuals listed in critical condition.
Eyewitness Accounts From the Scene
Chaos erupted instantly inside and outside the restaurant. Witnesses described a scene of sudden terror as people scrambled for cover.
Lane Koehn, a 34-year-old local resident, told reporters he was stopped at a nearby traffic light when he saw a person carrying an AR-style rifle emerge from the drive-thru lane. According to Koehn, another armed individual began firing at the suspect. He also witnessed restaurant employees trying desperately to drag a wounded co-worker to safety across the parking lot.
Other shoppers recounted hiding inside nearby establishments or fleeing on foot. Businesses across the plaza, including a local Chick-fil-A and the Magic Valley Mall, immediately locked their doors or closed early as a precaution while law enforcement secured the area.
Law Enforcement and Community Response
Local police departments, the Idaho State Police, emergency medical personnel, and federal law enforcement partners, including the FBI, converged on the scene rapidly. Authorities locked down nearby roads and closed the Perrine Bridge, which serves as a major crossing over the Snake River Canyon, to clear the path for emergency responders.
Elected officials, including Senator Mike Crapo and Representative Mike Simpson, shared statements urging residents to obey police directions and avoid the commercial district. Investigators are currently working through hundreds of witness interviews to piece down the exact sequence of events and establish a motive.
Police have asked anyone with additional video footage or information regarding the incident to contact local authorities immediately as the investigation continues.
Idaho shooting leaves three dead; perpetrator faces attempted murder charges
This video provides additional coverage and reporting on a violent active shooter incident in Idaho that left multiple individuals dead and prompted a major law enforcement response.
